CRS Reports – Week of 4-15-23 – Counter UAS

This last week, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) published a report on “Department of Defense Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems”. It provides a brief look at detection and interdiction tools available to the military for engaging unmanned aircraft systems. Interestingly, the report fails to provide any mention of the tactical use of UAS in the Ukraine as driver for the need for counter-UAS (c-UAS) operations. The three-page report concludes with a list of possible questions for Congress:

• Is DOD funding of C-UAS systems appropriately balanced between research and development and procurement programs?

• To what extent, if at all, has the designation of a DOD executive agent for C-UAS reduced redundancies and increased efficiencies in C-UAS procurement?

• To what extent, if at all, is DOD coordinating with other departments and organizations, such as the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Energy, on C-UAS development and procurement? NOTE: These are the only other agencies that are currently authorized (to a very limited extent) to conduct c-UAS operations.

• Are any changes to airspace management, operational concepts, rules of engagement, or tactics required in order to optimize the use of C-UAS systems and/or deconflict with other U.S. military operations?

• To what extent, if at all, is DOD coordinating with the Federal Aviation Administration and international civil aviation authorities to identify and mitigate C-UAS operational risks to civil aircraft?